The current English language education in Malaysia has integrated the Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) as part of its testing and evaluation system, which aims to enhance students' cognitive skills and abilities in learning. Having a higher-order thinking ability at the earliest stage of formal education (primary and elementary levels) is essential in order to meet the growing demand for highly intelligent and professional workers in the future. The present study aims to identify the use of HOTS items in selected English reading comprehension examinations for Standard 6 students in Malaysia. 80 reading comprehension items were selected from various final examination papers distributed in eight different states in the country. Data were quantitatively analysed using content analysis based on the levels of cognitive listed in Bloom's Taxonomy. Apart from that, the data were also analysed based on a series of professional evaluations made by four content experts in the country. The findings indicate that most reading comprehension questions in the English examination papers need further revisions in order to achieve the standard of HOTS that have become part of the new curriculum and national education policy. Based on the findings, some practical suggestions have also been developed to further enhance the use of HOTS in English teaching and learning practices in Malaysia.

This study aims to examine the perception of employers on the marketability and workability of Public Institute of Higher Education graduates. The study sample consists of 50 employers, both from natives and non-natives from the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Aspects that are researched in relation to the marketability include basic academic skills, high-level thinking skills and individual quality while the workability aspect is seen in terms of work planning and ability to perform work. The results of the study found that employers' perception of basic academic skills, individual quality and ability to perform are high. Yet, employers' perception is moderate towards high-level thinking and job planning. The study found that there was no significant difference between male and female employers as well the age of the employer on the marketability and workability of Public Institute of Higher Education graduates. However, the study found that there is a significant difference between the perceptions of service sector employers (in the government sector) and non-service sector employers (in the private sector) in terms of basic academic skills and job planning. The implications of the study and recommendations to improve the marketability and workability of Public Institute of Higher Education graduates are also discussed.